Efficacy of emotion focused therapy for adult survivors of child abuse: A preliminary study

Abstract

Abstract This study examined the effectiveness of Emotion Focused Therapy with 32 adult survivors (EFT‐AS) of childhood abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual). EFT‐AS is a 20‐week individual psychotherapy based on current emotion theory and experiential therapy theory and research. The study employed a quasi‐experimental design in which participants, who met screening criteria, were assigned to therapy or a variably delayed therapy condition. Clients receiving EFT‐AS achieved significant improvements in multiple domains of disturbance. Clients in the delayed treatment condition showed minimal improvements over the wait interval but after EFT‐AS showed significant improvements comparable to the immediate therapy group. These effects were maintained at 9 months (on average) follow‐up.